2023 Blue Spader Reunion
WHEN:
Wednesday, August 2 through
Saturday, August 5, 2023
WHERE:
Fort Lauderdale, FL
HOTEL:
The Sonesta Hotel
999 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304


Mail registration to:
26th infantry Regiment Association
ATTN: MATT BARTEL
875 Gip Manning Rd
Clarksville, TN 37042
To make hotel reservations online click the button below OR call the hotel directly at 1-800-766-3782 and identify yourself as being with the 26th Infantry Regiment Association (group code # 072323INFG) to get the group rate of $179 per room per night.
Rooms at these highly discounted rates are first-come first-serve so please book your rooms early as we only have a limited quantity. (Rooms during this period are normally over $300 per night).
OR
Call 1-800-766-3782
The Sonesta is very supportive of military service members and veterans, and they have worked with us to provide a great value of benefits for our group, including:
- Discounted Room Rates (over $300 value)
- A waived resort fee ($180 value)
- 50% discount on overnight valet parking ($200 value)
- 10% off drinks at the Sonesta bar
- 2 beach towels and two beach chairs daily per room
TRANSPORTATION: The closest airport is the Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL). The hotel is approximately 9 miles from the airport and takes about 25-30 minutes to drive depending on traffic. There is not a dedicated Sonesta hotel shuttle but there are ample taxi and ride sharing services available and rental cars are also an option.
REUNION CHECK-IN: Wednesday afternoon and upon arrival Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Check in will be in the Command Post (CP) which will be held in the “Horizons” rooms on the Penthouse Level. The hotel front desk staff will provide you an information sheet upon check in to orient you to the hotel and where the CP is located.
COMMAND POST, SILENT AUCTION, SUPPLY ROOM: The CP will be in the Horizon room on the Penthouse Level at the Sonesta and the views of the Florida coastline are spectacular. The Silent Auction and Supply Room will be in the same room as the CP. Just like in Las Vegas two years ago, we are not able to bring our own Association purchased drinks and snacks into the CP. Instead, we will be providing a cash bar along with several drink tickets to each registered attendee. The cash bar will be available for several hours in the evening and the hotel bar downstairs will provide 10% discounts on drinks to those with a reunion badge.
SILENT AUCTION: Please bring your items to the silent auction so we can raise money for the association. You can bring items with you or mail them ahead of time. We will provide the mailing address as we get closer to the reunion.
WELCOME RECEPTION: 5:00 – 7:00 pm Thursday evening in the Horizon Room. Join us for heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar as we officially kick off the 2023 reunion.
BANQUET: The Saturday evening reception and banquet will be held at the Sonesta Hotel in the Infinity Banquet Room. We will have a plated dinner to include entre selections of beef, chicken, or vegetarian. This is always a special event!
TOURS: We do not have any formally planned group tours during the reunion to give people the maximum amount of flexibility to enjoy your trip and do what suits you and your family in South Florida.
Here are some great activities, tours, and events in the area to consider:
Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Sonesta Hotel is right across the street from a great stretch of south Florida beach. Your hotel key will get you two chairs and an umbrella at no cost.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. ‘State Park and Oasis” right across the street to the north of the hotel. A great way to experience natural Florida! Floridastateparks.org
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens. “Early 20th Century Florida experience and museum dedicated to historic and environmental preservation.” Several hundred yards away to the south of the hotel. Bonnethouse.org
Jungle Queen Cruises. 12-130pm and 230-4pm. “90 minute narrated sightseeing cruises down the New River, sailing through Millionaire’s Row” Junglequeen.com
Jungle Queen Island Dinner & Cruise. 6 – 10pm. “Tropical Island all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner, variety show, & sightseeing cruise to a private island” Junglequeen.com
Alligator Tours. “Airboat tours of the Everglades & Alligator Show” Airboatevergladestours.com
Everglades Holiday Park. “Gator presentations, airboat tours, and more” Evergladesholidaypark.com
Water Taxi. “There’s no better way to experience Fort Lauderdale than from the water and no easier way to do that than on a Water Taxi” Watertaxi.com
These are not 26th Infantry Regiment Association organized or sponsored activities and are just a sample of the great opportunities to enhance your reunion experience and vacation.
SCHEDULE of EVENTS
Wed, August 2nd:
- Command Post (CP) in Horizons: 3pm – 9pm (cash bar in the evening)
Thu, August 3rd:
- CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room in Horizons: 9-10am & 4-9pm (cash bar in the evening)
- Explore South Florida
- Welcome reception w/ hors d’oeuvres in Horizons: (5-7pm)
Fri, August 4th:
- Explore South Florida
- CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room in Horizons: 9-10am & 4-9pm (cash bar in the evening)
Sat, August 5th:
- CP, Silent Auction, Supply Room in Horizons: 9-10am
- Annual Business Meeting in Horizons: 10-1130am
- Silent Auction last chance: 11am-12pm
- Silent Auction Closes: 12pm
- No later than pick up Silent Auction Items: 2pm
- Explore South Florida
- Pre-banquet reception in Impressions on the Penthouse Level: 6-7pm
- Formal banquet at in Infinity on the Penthouse Level: 7-9pm
- Post banquet festivities / Cash Bar in
- Horizons on the Penthouse Level: 9pm–1030pm
Sun, August 6th:
- Check out and travel safely home